Helene's Impacts on the Carolinas

The state’s Helene Disaster Case Management Program will now run through January 22, 2027.

The package includes money for temporary housing, private roads and bridges, volunteer rebuild groups and local governments. But the largest share — $450 million — would cover the state and local portion of federal programs.

State lawmakers released a $34 billion budget bill Tuesday morning that comes a full year behind schedule. The House and Senate plan to vote on the spending plan later this week, aiming to get the bill to Gov. Josh Stein's desk by late Thursday.

Transportation officials say roadwork will continue in the Hickory Nut Gorge area through at least 2028. Residents say they’re already fatigued from living in a seemingly endless construction zone.

Without more funding, Stein said, infrastructure and housing projects can’t move forward.

The two days of festivities included live music, a costume contest and a parade featuring dozens of creative, maritime-themed floats.

The Asheville Recovers Together grant program will accept applications from June 15 to July 14.

Transportation officials are hoping the project — one of the most expensive in state history — will lead the crucial highway to a more resilient future.

This weekend is the unofficial start of summer, and just in time for the Memorial Day holiday, Lake Lure is reopening. It had been closed since Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina almost two years ago. The Charlotte Ledger Business Newsletter looked at what the reopening means for the area, which is heavily dependent on tourism. The Ledger’s Tony Mecia joins WFAE's Marshall Terry for our segment BizWorthy.

Ahead of the start of this year’s hurricane season, we hear predictions for the number of likely storms and how to brace for whatever may come our way, plus an update on drought conditions and continued Helene recovery efforts.